“Golden Girls” star Betty White dies at 99

A very bright, very long-burning light in Hollywood just went dark.

Actress Betty White passed away at the age of 99, just weeks away from celebrating her 100th birthday.

White’s career spanned a stunning 80-plus years, starting when she was just 17. Her work brought smiles to generations of fans, earning her the Guinness World Record for the longest television career by a female entertainer.

Courtesy of the Associated Press

Her saucy, up-for-anything charm made her a television mainstay for more than 60 years.

White’s death was confirmed by her longtime agent Jeff Witjas in a phone call Friday with publicist Pam Golum.

Her quirky characters over more than a half-century included the oddball Rose Nylund in “The Golden Girls” and the outspoken caretaker on “Hot In Cleveland.”  She also drew laughs in “The Proposal” and the horror spoof “Lake Placid.”

White once said her character Sue Ann Nivens in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” could be “icky-sweet” but was “really a piranha type.” That role brought her two Emmys.

White would have turned 100 on Jan. 17.